The much-anticipated stage nine of this year’s Tour de France, the stage of the chemins blancs, very much lived up to its expectations. If you were looking for a new stage for these actors, who just happen to be bike racers, it would be hard to do better. Christian Prudhomme and his Tour de France technical team hoped to introduce a fresh alternative to the race with a stage that combined elements of Paris-Roubaix and Strade Bianche. And they clearly found it with this demanding loop around Troyes. 
Starting with the opening section of white roads, the yellow jersey remained near the front.
The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team did their best to keep the leader Primož Roglič at the front of the race, but it was not an easy day for the team.
The fans, like the riders, quickly faded into the blankets of dust found on each of the 14 gravel sections on today's stage.
Section 11, the Côte de Val Frion, offered pitches of nearly 15% that laced its way through wine vineyards.
Tom Pidcock was one of the key actors of the day, jumping into the breakaway and fighting for victory when the race returned to Troyes.
Polka dots lined the climbs found along the day.
